Questions from a Parent of a Freshman Player:

Where would you recommend we park (general parking, not season tickets) if we want to tailgate near other parents?
What time do you recommend getting to parking lot for tailgating?
Are there any general parking lots to avoid?[/size]
Any feedback on the bus system?
Any other hints welcomed.

Go Dukes!

I'd recommend parking where they let you without a pass (probably across the interstate) and then walking down to Godwin Field to commisserate. Everyone there will be gracious with their food and glad to talk JMU football. Other close lots like P-Lot are just as hospitable with less space.

If you must cook for yourself and set up camp, then you will be far, far away from the center of activity and you will need to stop tailgating earlier so you can get to the game on time. Both of those are downers in my book.

Not sure if Withers will continue the Dukes walk, but if he does that would be approximately 3 hours before gametime on Godwin field. The Band walks into the stadium 30 minutes prior to kickoff. If you are on Godwin field that is your audio cue to head into the stadium.

If you come bearing gifts such as ice cold beverages you are always welcome at my tailgate.

I park in convo and tailgate on Godwin. You will find as lot of friends there.

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(09-11-2014 06:20 PM)WolfDog Wrote:  Questions from a Parent of a Freshman Player:

Where would you recommend we park (general parking, not season tickets) if we want to tailgate near other parents?
What time do you recommend getting to parking lot for tailgating?
Are there any general parking lots to avoid?[/size]
Any feedback on the bus system?
Any other hints welcomed.

Go Dukes!

As others have said, you should be treated well by the tailgaters especially if you wear your son's numbered jersey. If you are just parking your car and walking to the action, Warsaw Garage has that nice walk through the Quad. Just get to Godwin field and/or P lot. I thought I saw that the pregame walk was at 1:45pm, but defer to those who know better.

Wolf ... welcome to these boards. You should try to park near the convo. It is a hike to the stadium, but I believe the bus runs frequently from those parking lots up there. Most folks start tailgating 3-4 hrs before game time. If you roll down to the Godwin Field about an hour or more before kickoff, you will make new friends, as most everyone will welcome you with open arms, food, beer, & liquor .... best wishes on your first visit to a JMU home game !!!! I hope you have a great time !!! Go Dukes !!!!

Here are some helpful links:
Parking: http://jmusports.com/sports/2014/6/18/GD...aspx?id=11
Shuttle: http://jmusports.com/sports/2014/6/26/GD...spx?id=106
Tailgating: http://jmusports.com/sports/2014/6/18/GD...th=gameday

I have had friends park across the Port Republic Road by Starbucks & Jimmy Johns which I think is the closest, but fills up the quickest. Timing: lots open at 8am. As far as what time you should get there is completely up to you, but I would base it on what time other parents that you plan on hanging out with plan to get there. My guess is the majority of people will show up around noon

Get ready to have some fun! Go Dukes!

Feel free to come to my tailgate as well. That's space 189 on Godwin Field. The mother and grandparents of a redshirt sophomore are part of our tailgate. We will be arriving between 12-1230.

Another free parking option would be Lot C10 across from the Rose Library. There are plenty of tailgaters there & you are about a football fields length away from the bus shuttle stop that drops you off at Godwin Hall to & from the game. See maps on post above. Go Dukes!

You will not be able to park in the CONVO as its reserved, but the lot just above it is free. The only issue with that lot is that its about as rowdy as there is, as the youngest crowd parks up there. A lot of students. One nice thing from the CONVO lot itself, there is no better way to head south on 81. A little more of a challenge to go north but not bad.

Feel free to come through P-Lot. Everyone is very gracious

Feel free to stop by G lot as we'll and I will happy to give the breakdown. Hope you intend on going to the Charlotte game as we'll. look for the quality cornhole boards and you shall find me.


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Wow! Great stuff! I am grateful for all of the suggestions.

I am not sure how Godwin Field works. I assume the parking there is reserved. My tailgating approach is pretty simple. Munchies and a few adult beverages in ice cold cans. After getting settled and relaxing a bit, we will head over to Godwin. Hopefully, they are not “NFL Strict” on what you can bring into the Stadium.

Hart Foundation – The Duke Walk sounds like a terrific tradition. We will try to see that.

Jmuroadwarrior – I need to figure out where to purchase my Son’s numbered jersey!

Lingerba – Thanks for the links. We have a 3 hour trip and are planning to arrive around 10. We plan to try one of the general parking lots near Hillside or at the Port Republic spot you mentioned.

CaryNCDuke – Absolutely will be in Charlotte. Going to every game!

Thanks again to everyone for all of the support! Go Dukes!

Heard today the the open parking lots will open 4 hrs before the game not at 8AM as in the past. This policy will be strictly enforced via RMC staff and barracades. reserved lots will open at 8AM. so that means the upper convo lot will open at 12 noon. I park in the lower convo so I dont know where the other open lots are located. The reason is for other JMU team members to have a place to park before the onslot of tailgaters get there. We will see how that goes I guess.

(09-12-2014 07:24 AM)JMUsince89 Wrote:  Heard today the the open parking lots will open 4 hrs before the game not at 8AM as in the past. This policy will be strictly enforced via RMC staff and barracades. reserved lots will open at 8AM. so that means the upper convo lot will open at 12 noon. I park in the lower convo so I dont know where the other open lots are located. The reason is for other JMU team members to have a place to park before the onslot of tailgaters get there. We will see how that goes I guess.

General parking opens at 8, but you can't tailgate until 4 hours prior.

http://jmusports.com/sports/2014/6/18/GD...aspx?id=11

(09-11-2014 08:18 PM)RootinFerDukes Wrote:  Feel free to come through P-Lot. Everyone is very gracious

P-Lot 30 - Silver Dodge 4-door pickup - Parent of a Redshirt player. Stop on by.

(09-12-2014 07:28 AM)Dukie95 Wrote:  

(09-12-2014 07:24 AM)JMUsince89 Wrote:  Heard today the the open parking lots will open 4 hrs before the game not at 8AM as in the past. This policy will be strictly enforced via RMC staff and barracades. reserved lots will open at 8AM. so that means the upper convo lot will open at 12 noon. I park in the lower convo so I dont know where the other open lots are located. The reason is for other JMU team members to have a place to park before the onslot of tailgaters get there. We will see how that goes I guess.

General parking opens at 8, but you can't tailgate until 4 hours prior.

http://jmusports.com/sports/2014/6/18/GD...aspx?id=11

if you're not going to allow tailgating, the lot may as well be closed until 4 hours til. are they really going to enforce that crap? must we continue to find ways to inconvenience fans who you should be grateful are here to begin with?

(09-12-2014 08:45 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(09-12-2014 07:28 AM)Dukie95 Wrote:  

(09-12-2014 07:24 AM)JMUsince89 Wrote:  Heard today the the open parking lots will open 4 hrs before the game not at 8AM as in the past. This policy will be strictly enforced via RMC staff and barracades. reserved lots will open at 8AM. so that means the upper convo lot will open at 12 noon. I park in the lower convo so I dont know where the other open lots are located. The reason is for other JMU team members to have a place to park before the onslot of tailgaters get there. We will see how that goes I guess.

General parking opens at 8, but you can't tailgate until 4 hours prior.

http://jmusports.com/sports/2014/6/18/GD...aspx?id=11

if you're not going to allow tailgating, the lot may as well be closed until 4 hours til. are they really going to enforce that crap? must we continue to find ways to inconvenience fans who you should be grateful are here to begin with?

Step 1. Join Duke Club
Step 2. Get season tickets
Step 3. Enjoy parking pass with 8AM tailgating included
Step 4. Root

(09-12-2014 07:02 AM)WolfDog Wrote:  Wow! Great stuff! I am grateful for all of the suggestions.

I am not sure how Godwin Field works. I assume the parking there is reserved. My tailgating approach is pretty simple. Munchies and a few adult beverages in ice cold cans. After getting settled and relaxing a bit, we will head over to Godwin. Hopefully, they are not “NFL Strict” on what you can bring into the Stadium.

...

They do have bag check. Don't bring seats with armrest, that is a big one. But do have some type of fanny cushion unless you are among the folk in the 100's who never sit.

Pretty easy to get most things through as we always take in a small draw string back pack... I'll leave it to your imagination as to what might be tucked away in there.

No matter what these guys say about using the band marching into the stadium as your cue to enter, go in a few minutes early and be in your seats by the time the players come on the field. Nothing pumps a player more than 20K screaming fans as he enters.

is that 4-hr thing a new policy? I like the concept that tailgating must cease at game time. that's why you're there. Go to the game. i predict a new thread of complaints on Monday if they enforce this.

(09-12-2014 11:01 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  is that 4-hr thing a new policy? I like the concept that tailgating must cease at game time. that's why you're there. Go to the game. i predict a new thread of complaints on Monday if they enforce this.

I understand your point of view about stopping the tailgating at kick off. However, my wife will only go "into" 2 or 3 games but attends most all of them, she's not a JMU alumni nor a football fan. She will bring her sister or a friend and they find things to do during the games where she doesn't go into the stadium. I tend to see a lot of credit card statements from the JMU bookstore if you get my drift.

But, she will take her time and close up the tailgate when she's ready to go shopping and as much as I'd like her to be root'n, she dances to her own tune. Her seat is never empty as she prepares me a week or more ahead of the game if she will not be going in so I can use the ticket for someone else.